Assistants in Public Worship

ASSISTANTS IN PUBLIC WORSHIP: The historical functions of those whose place it
is to assist the principal minister in divine service belong largely to the development
of the various
321orders (see Orders, Holy). In the modern Roman Catholic Church the
celebrant at high mass is assisted by a dean and subdeacon who are usually priests.
The minor functions are performed by acolytes, usually laymen and boys. A priest
is not allowed to celebrate even a low mass without at least one person to make
the responses. In the Anglican prayer-book the clergymen who read the epistle and
gospel are designated not deacon and subdean, but epistoler and gospeler. See also
Lay-Reader.